Discover the rich heritage, mission, and beliefs of St. Simon's Knanaya Church Birmingham
St. Simon's Knanaya Church Birmingham was established to serve the growing Knanaya Christian community in Birmingham and surrounding areas. As part of the global Knanaya tradition, we continue ancient Syrian Christian practices while adapting to our local context.
The Knanaya community traces its origins to Syrian Christian merchants who migrated to Kerala, India in the 4th century AD. Our church preserves this unique heritage through liturgy, traditions, and community life.
Today, we are a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) serving not only the Knanaya community but also the wider Christian population in Birmingham Northfield and surrounding areas.
The Knanaya (also known as Knanaya Nasrani) are an endogamous ethnic group within the Saint Thomas Christian community of Kerala, India. They are distinguished by their historical migration from the Middle East and preservation of unique cultural and religious practices.
We maintain the East Syriac Rite liturgy, with services conducted in Malayalam and English. The Holy Qurbana (Eucharist) follows ancient Syrian Christian traditions.
Our community preserves distinct marriage customs, family traditions, and religious practices that have been passed down through generations.
To advance the Christian faith for the benefit of the public in accordance with the doctrines of Knanaya Church in Birmingham and surrounding areas, mainly through:
To be a vibrant, welcoming Christian community that:
As part of the universal Christian Church, we affirm:
We believe in one God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, as revealed in the Holy Scriptures.
We believe in Jesus Christ as fully God and fully human, our Lord and Savior who died and rose again for our salvation.
We believe the Church is the body of Christ, called to worship, witness, and serve in the world.
We celebrate the Holy Mysteries (Sacraments), especially Holy Qurbana (Eucharist), as means of God's grace.
Within this universal Christian faith, the Knanaya tradition emphasizes:
Our church is served by dedicated clergy who provide spiritual leadership, pastoral care, and administer the sacraments. We work under the guidance of the broader Knanaya ecclesiastical authorities.
For specific pastoral needs, please contact us through the church email.
As a CIO, we have a trustee board responsible for governance and administration. The council includes elected members from the congregation who serve voluntarily.
Various ministries are led by dedicated volunteers from our congregation who contribute their time and talents to serve the church community.